The Seige of the North pt.2

Michael stayed away from the podium on which the North Pole warriors stood and carefully watched the crowd of worried people. War came knocking on their doors, but no one expected it, no matter how long the Fire Nation tried to tear the continents apart and bring them under their rule. The North Pole was a becon of hope and safety for the Water Tribes, just as Ba Sing Se was an unbreakable bastion for the Earth Tribes.

Sokka was the first to answer Arnook's call to protect their home, and Michael didn't miss Yue's the quiet sob. One by one, teens, men, and even old grandpas received the mark of a warrior on their foreheads, but Michael wasn't one of them. No, Michael was not a warrior, he was always a thief first and a coward second, even if this cowardice was hidden deep in his soul. He wasn't going to go out on the wall and deflect the lit cannonballs that fired the catapults, oh no, of course not. To do this, he now had clones.

If he had a choice, he would never have fought Brer'yuth, he would have jumped into the ocean and swam the rest of the way to the North in an air bubble like Aang had created. But he knew full well that he didn't have enough Chi and mental focus to keep the bubble around, and the Storm Spirit himself would've noticed his stupid ass.

With the power he gained – in an absurd way, to be honest – during his journey through the Spirit World, Michael was able to do much more than create effective techniques and find new ways to use Hydrokinesis and Aerokinesis. Now Michael had access to a terrifying amounts of Chi, the limits of which he only felt once when he regained his connection with the air. Unfortunately, this meant that his control had taken a hit, but he sorted that out pretty quickly.

But returning to the clones, Michael divided his attention on several fronts. One clone was hiding on the wall, another was deep underwater, and the third was hiding near the Spirit Lake. Michael didn't even think about going inside, knowing that another meeting with the Spirits could end badly, even if they are theoretically powerless in their "mortal" form.

But most importantly, Michael had a plan for the first time in a long time. It was one of the few times he could sit down before a battle and plan his moves.

On the side of the Northern Water Tribe, there was the advantage of a battlefield where ice was a way of life for many. They had enough skilled Waterbenders, but their regular soldiers were as rusty as their swords.

The Fire Nation had a hundred warships, but only a couple dozen could fit in front of the city wall, which limited the maneuverability of the iron coffins. Firebenders were another problem to deal with.

So what was Michael's plan? What could the mind of a Russian thief prepare against the military commanders and strategists of an entire Nation? Well...

-=-=-=-=-=-

"I'm going to kill Zhao."

Just one sentense. That was all Gaang and Princess Yue received in response to their question.

They all gathered for the last time before the start of the battle, in the room that the servants of the royal family had prepared for them.

"What? Michael, he's just one man, someone else will just take his place." Sokka said in shock, not believing his usually smart friend would say something so crazy.

But Michael just shook his head, "Trust me, after they see him die, no one from the Fire Nation will even want to set foot in the North Pole for the next ten years." The seriousness of his voice reassured his friends, if only a little.

But Yue wasn't satisfied. "How exactly are you going to kill him? According to you, this coward will be hiding on one of the ships in the back lines and shouting orders. We won't be able to reach him."

Michael sighed heavily and grimaced as he saw the spark of understanding that flickered in Aang's eyes. "Let me take care of it. Trust me, this battle will end with his death," he turned to the Avatar. "Aang, you will come with me. Although I don't like it, you will have to be there after I... deal with Zhao."

Aang nodded, looking towards the sea. He didn't like the thought of having to kill, but that was life. If he only knocked out the Fire Nation soldiers, then they would have a chance to return to the battlefield. 'Hundred ships against the North Pole and no chance to solve the problem peacefully,' he thought bitterly and walked out of the room. The plan was already in place.

Aang, along with Michael, will be on the first line of defense. Katara and Sokka were Princess Yue's personal protectors; Sokka at the request of Arnook, and Katara at the request of Yue.

Most of the waterbenders were also stationed next to the wall to make emergency repairs, archers spread out all over the wall, and ordinary soldiers – swordsmen and spearmen – were nearby in case of a breakthrough. Deeper in the city, where it would be difficult for the enemy to get through, there were healers on standby.

The North was ready for defense.

-=-=-=-=-=-

Iroh had a bad feeling about the Seige.

This was not unusual, he was connected to the Spirit World much more strongly than ordinary people and sometimes the Spirits he met sent warnings to him. It wasn't something clear, like thoughts or feelings that didn't belong to him, the Spirits were more secretive and one had to look carefully to find their warnings.

It can be a half-burned leaf on the sign of a cafe that is better not to go into, a stone that is easy to stumble on next to dangerous people. It was always something unimportant, something so boring and ordinary that the eye slips past.

But now the Spirits did not warn him. Now something more ancient is lodged in his stomach.

Fear.

Not the fear that binds your body and mind, weaving deep into your soul and overloading your emotions, no. It was more like something wilder, planted deep in the minds of every person. Something at the level of instincts, feeling like a dangerous animal is staring at the back of your head.

"Hmm... This isn't good," Iroh said to himself and went to look for Zuko. He'd better warn his nephew to be careful.

He found Zuko in a work bay that was being used to dump trash into the ocean. A disgusting decision, but the engineers had no alternative. Everything that couldn't be burned was sent here.

"Uncle? What are you doing here? Zhao might notice your absence." Zuko slammed the door behind Iroh, not daring to leave it open. "You don't have to worry about me uncle, I have a plan."

Zuko was dressed in black, choosing to hide in the shadows rather than risk being caught. A rope and a knife hung from his belt in case his firebending wasn't enough.

Noticing that his uncle hadn't said a word, Zuko glanced at him and nearly recoiled from the serious look Iroh was giving him. "Uncle?"

Iroh sighed heavily and put his hands on Zuko's shoulders, forcing him to stand up straight. "Zuko, promise me one thing," Iroh's voice was as hard as steel. "If you find yourself in a situation where fighting will bring you nothing but death, you will run away. Leave the Avatar and your hunt if you have to, just... run. Run and come back alive."

Zuko wanted to get angry and start yelling that he wouldn't leave without the Avatar, that his pride was on the line... but not even the ember of rage could ignite in his chest. Iroh has never been this serious. It was strange, it was wrong. Iroh was supposed to come before he left and offer some vague advise, not give him the order to run from danger.

So Zuko didn't speak, he just nodded in agreement.

"Good, good..." Iroh muttered, the seriousness drained from his posture. "Now go. Don't forget your breathing lessons, they can save you even if you don't expect it."

'Ah, here it is.' Zuko cracked a smile. "Don't worry so much about me, uncle. I'll be back with the Avatar. After this battle, we will return home."

Iroh smiled back and stayed in the room until Zuko disappeared underwater.

But the fear didn't.